Method and apparatus for handling and treating strip material



.Fume 25, i946. E A wlLCKl-:Ns 2,402,869

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 1:5 sheets-sheet 1 IMI I gl Mui Elllur June 25, 1946. E. A. wlLcKENs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLIG AND TREATING'STRIP MATERIAL 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1940 Je 25 1946. E. A. wlLcKENs 2,402,860

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 1s sheets-sheet 5 Jume 25, 1946. E. A. wlLcKENs 2,402,860

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 N .QN i. www mv@ NNN @NN June 25, 1946. E. A. wlLcKENs Filed Aug. 14, 1940. 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 25, 1946. E, A wlLcKEvNs 2,402,860

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 Sheets-Shea?I 6 June 25, 1946. E. A. wlLcKENs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 June 25, 1946. E A, WILCKENS 2,402,860

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 June 25 i946. E. A. WILCKENS 2,402,86@

ND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING Filed Aug. 14, 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 June 25, 1946. E. A. WILCKENS METHOD AND APPARATUS` PoR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 Je 25, 1946. E.. A. WILCKENS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 ShecS-Sheer. l1

lllll E. A. WlLCKENS Filed Aug. 14, 1940 13 Sheets-Shea?I l2 June 25, 1946.

METHOD AND APPARATDs FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Fume 25, E946, 294.092,80

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL E. A. WILCKENS Filed Aug. 14, 1940 l5 Sheets-Sheet 15 Patented June 25, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IKETHOD AND FOR HANDLING AND TREATING STRIP MATERIAL Eine A. iwuckens, Baltimore, Ma.. assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application August 14, 1940, Serial No. 352,645

tus whereby strip material, continuously unwound from a roll, may be simultaneously coated on both faces, may be dried by simultaneous action on both faces, may, if required, be cooled, and may be continuously rewound. For the accomplishment of these operations the invention includes coating mechanism adapted to apply the same or different colors to the two faces of a strip, and includes subsequentlyeiective handling mechanism whereby the coated strip is supported, preferably entirely from its edges, in transversely lbowed relation and caused-to travel through a drying oven wherein a heated drying medium is directed to the faces of the strip, both faces being exposed. In cases where cooling of the dried strip becomes necessary or desirable, the inven- ,tion contemplates a cooling tank across the top of which the strip may 'be led in flat relation, means being providedl whereby "the 'tank-traversing portion of the strip may be depressed from iiat relation into a loop extending downwardly into a cooling medium in the tank'.

In the accompanying drawingsI have shown practical apparatus for accomplishing the purposesl of the invention and the description lwill proceed with reference to these drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete rlaine in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is aplan view of the vapparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlargedsection substantially on line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure i is a plan View, on enlarged scale, of strip handling mechanism appearing at the head end of the line in Figures 1 and 2. i

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 4'.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6--6 oi' Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side elevation, on enlarged scale, of coating mechanism which appears adjacent the head end of the line in Figuresll and 2.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8 8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a vertical trans-axial section of the apparatus of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a partial plan view of the apparatus of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a plan view of mechanism for receiving the strip from the coating mechanism and imparting a transversely bowed condition thereto.

Figure 12 is a section on line 'l2-i2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a section on line l3-I3 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a section on line illi4 of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a section on line l5-l5 of Figure 11.

Figure 16 is a section on line i-I of Figure 11.

Figure 17 is a section on line I'i-l'i of Figure 11.

Figurev18 .is a.' plan view of heat supplying and y exhausting units for the drying oven which occupies the major portion of the line in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 19 is an enlarged plan view of units appearing at the left in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a section substantially on line 2li-20 of Figure 19.-

Figure 21 is a ure 27.

Figure 22 is a section on line 22--22 of Figure25. 4 1 Figure` 23' is a section on line 23-23 of Figure 1. i'

y Figure 24 -is a side-elevation of apparatus appearing in Figure 23. Figure 25 shows in perspective an in-put unit for the drying medium. l I' Figure 26 shows an exhaust unit in perspective. yFigure 27 is a partial section like that of Figure 23` on an enlarged scale. Figure 28 is a section on linen-028 of vFig'- ure 2'7.v y

Figure 29 is a plan view of apparatus at the departing end of the oven for permitting the strip to return to flat condition.

Figure 3 0 is a'section on line 30-030 of Figure 29. Figure 31 is a, section on line 3I-3i of Figure 29.

Figure 32 is a section on line 32-32 of Figure 29.

Figure 33 is a section on line 33-33 of Figure 31.

'Fl2gure 34 is a section on line 30-30 'oi Figure Figure 35 is a section on line 35-35 oi' Figure 34.

Figure 36 is a section on line 3G-36 of Figure 34.*

Figure 37 is a side elevation, enlarged, of the right hand end of the line of Figures 1 and 2.l

Figure 38 is a side elevation showing the apparatus of Figure 31 in association with rewind mechanism, and

section on line 2l-2l vof Figamano Figure 39 is a plan view of the rewind mecha- I A Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2 for a general view of the component parts of the line, A designates strip handling mechanism in advance of coating mechanism B, C represents mechanism for imparting a transversely bowed condition to the strip at the entering end of an oven D. E represents mechanism permitting the return of the bowed strip to dat condition, F represents cooling apparatus, and G rewind mechanism.

Referring also to Figures 3 to 6, reference numeral 50 designates a frame which at its left hand end supports a pair of pedestals 5| and 52 in the lower portions of which is journaled a shaft 53 on which is fixed a roll 54. A roll 55 above roll 54 is journaled in vertically slidable channels in thepedestals and is normally springpressed toward roll 54. This particular roll arrangement is utilizable also at the opposite end of the line as shown in Figures 31, 32 and 38 and will be described later on in more detail with reference to these latter figures.

Adjacent the right hand end of frame 50, a shaft 55 is journaled in bearings 51 and 58, and has fixed thereon a cylindrical roll 59 which has clamped thereto, in properly spaced relation, axially adjustable flanges 60 and 5| which have opposed conical faces 52 and 83 spreading from radial base portions. A strip S of ilexible material, for example thin metal as used in the manufacture of container closures such as crown lug. screw, and the like caps, is led from a suitably journaled roll 64, Figure l, upwardly and between rolls 54 and 55, where a flattening action is exerted, and thence through a depending loop and over roll 59. Rolls 54 and 59 are driven at like peripheral speed by any suitable means so that the intermediate loop is maintained this permitting the strip to be squarely positioned between the radial base portions of the flanges 60 and 5|,

' Figure 6, by the conical portions of the latter.

Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 'l' to 10,

the coating mechanism B comprises a frame 55 having oppote parallel side walls 56 and 51. Formed in side wall il are inclined rectilinear slots 88 and 89 which are equally divergent rearwardly from the horizontal. Wall 51 has formed therein slots 10 and 1| parallel to slots B8 and 89 respectively. These slots have slidable therein blocks as at A'I2 and 13, Figure '1, in which are journaled the ends of shafts 14 and 15 to which are fixed applicator rolls 18 and 11. .I'he bearing blocks are yieldingly urged outwardly by springs as at 18 and 19 set in pockets at the inner ends of the guide slots.

Slots 69 and 1i are outwardly closed by vcap plates 80 and 8| in which are threaded the Shanks of stops I2 and 83. The ends of slots 68 and 10 are closed by cap plates 84 and 85 from which project rigid arms 85 and 81. p

Fixed on shafts 14 and 15 outwardly of wall 51 are gears 88 and 89 which intermesh in the illu'strated normal position of the rolls 16 and 11. Wall 56 is provided with a horizontal slot 90 to the rear of and midway between shafts 14 and 15, this slot slidably receiving the spacer piece 9| of a slide 92 which includes outer and inner plates 93 and 94 slidable on the outer and inner surfaces of the wall. Plate 93 supports perpendicularly thereto stub shafts 95 and 96 on which are rotatable intermeshed gears 91 and 98 which respectively engage gears 88 and 99, this engaging relation being maintained by links 99 naled on the lower :portion of frame 65.

and which respectively connect stub shaft 95 and roll shaft 14 and stub shaft 95 and roll shaft 15. A stop |0| cooperates with the slide 92. A slide |02 similar to slide 92 is similarly mounted on side wall 51 and carries stub shafts (not shown) like and 95 similarly connected by links (not shown) like 99 and |00 with the other ends of roll shafts 14 and 15. A stop |03 cooperates with slide |02. Shafts |04 and |05 have their ends journaled in the inner plates of the two slides and carry idler rolls |06 and |01 which engage the strip S just in advance of the applicator rolls.

Supply rolls |08 and |09 have intermeshing gears ||0 and iii, the latter meshing with gear 83. Roll |08 dips in a coating supply tray i|2 Whose rear end is pivoted to the slides on upstanding links as at H3, Figure 9, and whose forward portion has fixed therebeneath a bar H4 engageable in top and bottom notches in brackets ||5 and H5 so that the pan is supportable in the full line position shown in Figure 9, wherein it is in feeding relation to roll |08, or in the dotted line tilted drainage position, reference numeral |I1' designating a drain spout. lower supply rolls ||8 and ||9 are geared together by gears |20 and |2I, the latter normally meshing with gear 89.' Roll H8 dips in a pan |22 supportable by rods |23 and |24 in the operative position shown in full lines in Figure 9, or in the dotted line drainage position. Refern ence numeral |25 designates a drip pan supported on brackets on the frame side walls.

Reference numeral |28 designates a. power input shaft, driven from any suitable source, jour- A sprocket |21 xed on shaft |26 is connected by a'chain |28 with a sprocket |29 fixed to a gear |30 journaled in a block |3| 4on the outside of side wall 61. Gear |30 meshes with a gear |32 journal'ed in the s 'ame block |3I, this gear meshing with a. gear |32' similar to the gear B9, fixed on the opposite end of shaft 15 from the latter. The axis of gear 'f 32 is in a. plane which includes the a-xis of shaft '15 and is normal to the line of .slots 69 and 1| in which the bearings for shaft 15 are slidable.-

With the parts. in the relation shown in Figures 7 and-9,'drive from shaft |25 will cause the applicater rolls 16 and 11 to be rotated in counterclockwise and clockwise directions, respectively, and at-the same peripheral speed as the roll 59. Coating material being transferred by the supply rolls to the applicator rolls, the strip S will be coated on both sides. So long as the same color is being applied to both sides of the strip, the illustrated relationship of the applicator rolls need not be altered, but if different coatings are being applied to the top and bottom of the strip, the applicator rolls should be movable apart to prevent commingling of the coatings when there is no strip between the rolls. It is for this reason that I have provided the divergent gudeways for the roll bearings and I shall now describe means whereby these bearings are displaceable along their guideways to cause substantial separation of the rolls.

Journaled in the ends of arms 86 and 81 is a rock shaft |33 which at its ends has fixed thereto manually swingable upright arms |34 and |35. Also fixed to the shaft |33 adjacent arms |34 and |35 in angular relation thereto, and preferably integral therewith, are short arms |35 and I 31. Fixed to the rear edge of wall 66 is a block |38 in which is horizontally adjustable a bolt |39 which swingably supports a link |40 on a transverse horizontal axis. A stop |4| threaded in a flange |42 of block |38, Figure 10, engages a spacer collar |43 on bolt |39 in order to prevent displacement of the latter rearwardly. The other end of link |40 is pivoted by means of a bolt |44 to one end of a link |45 whose other end is pivoted at |46 to slide 92. A vertical link |41 has its lower end pivoted to links |40 and |45 through bolt |44 and its upper end pivoted by means oi a bolt |48 to the extremity of arm |36. l

A block |49 similar to block |38 is secured to the rear edge of wall 61 and similarly pivotally supports one end of a link |50 whose other endA caused to break upwardly, thereby pulling carriages 92 and |02 to the right, Figures 7 and 8, and exerting thrust through the links as at 99 and |00 on the bearings of shafts 14 and 15 to move the shafts and applicator rolls in divergent paths so that substantialclearance is provided between the rolls, movement being limited in accordance with the setting of stops 82 and 83 which are engaged by the bearing blocks for shaft 15.,I Gears and |2| have their axes located to the rear of the applicator roll axes and will not interfere with the displacement yof gears 88 and 89, which latter, due to their engagement with the'idlers 91 and' 98, will immediately come into proper mesh upon the return of the slides when the toggles are again straightened. Gear |32 has prolonged mesh with its associated gear on shaft 15 due to its described disposition relative to the normal axis of the latter, and ordi- Inarily thesegears do not completely separate.

The supply rolls are free-running and re-meshing of gears 88 and 89 with gears and |2| will take place with no dimculty. AWhen stops 82 and 83 are readjusted, it will be evident that shaft |33 cannot be rocked and that the applicator rolls will be rigidly maintained in adjusted operative position.

The strip forming or bowing mechanism |56 and |51 supported at their forward ends on a bar |58 secured beneath blocks |38 and |49 of the coating mechanism and at their other ends on an angle |59 extending between upward frame extensions |60 and |6| of a frame |62. Fixed on the forward ends of the angles |56 and |51 are blocks |63 and |64 provided on their inner faces with longitudinally extending grooves or notches |65 and |66 adapted to receive the edges of a strip leaving the applicator rolls to conne the said edges. The forward ends of the grooves have flared mouths as at |61, Figure 12, so as to be sure to pick upthe forward end of the strip as it leaves the applicator rolls. At the point where the section line |3|3 is taken, the edges of the strip lie in the grooves |65 and |66 in the manner shown in Figure 13.

Following the blocks |63 and |64, angles |56 and |51 support series of identical rollers |68 and |69, respectively, in the manner particularl shown in Figure 14.

C, Figures 3 and 11 to 15, comprises a pair of anglesl as at |16, Figure 14.

Referring to this gure, a stud |10 has its base portion received in a collar |1| on the top ange of the angle |56 with its lower extremity welded to the flange, the stud being perpendicular to the latter. The roller |68 is rotatable on the pin |10 through pressed-in bushings |12 and |13. The roller has a' peripheral notch including a cylindrical portion |14 and conical portions |15 and |16 ared respectively upwardly and downwardly from the cylindrical portion |14, the conical portion |16 being relatively flat as compared to the conical portion |15. Any axial section of the roller shows an angular notch with a point constituted by an element of the cy1in d rical portion |14.

Angles |56 and |51 are somewhat rearwardly converged as are also consequently the series of rollers |68 and |69 the axes of the rollers of each series being in a common plane and the cylindrical portions as at |14 of the rollers lying in a common plane. As a consequence, when a strip is guided to the rollers by the blocks |63 and |64, whose grooves are somewhat convergent toward the adjacent rollers', a progressively increasing transverse compressive action is exerted on the end of the strip and the latter is caused to take a transversely upwardly bowed form of progressive steepness from the entering to the departing ends of the roller series. To insure upward bowing, the edge of the incoming strip may be pulled upwardly at its center while it is in the block grooves. With the strip transversely bowed, lt will be evident that it can be supported entirely from its edges in the manner shown in Figures 14 and 15 so that the coating on the lower surface of. the strip will be undamaged. The support of the strip edges occurs at the junction of the pressure applying portions as at |14 andthe shoulders The oven D comprises an elongated housing |11 having insulated top, bottom and side walls, |18,

|19,' |80 and |8I, Figures 23 and 27, of which the side wall |8| is preferably removable as indicated. The housing, as is customary, is supported in such a manner as to take care of longitudinal expansion and contraction.

The housing is longitudinally traversed by a conveyor comprising parallel endless roller chains |82 and |83 which at their front ends engage sprockets on a head shaft |84 supported in ad- Justable bearings |85 and |86 on frame |62, which, as shown in Figure 3, is just in advance of the entering end of the housing |11. The rear ends of the chains engage sprockets on aV foot shaft |61 supported in bearings |88 and |89 on a frame just beyond the departing end of the housing. 'I'he upper runs of the chains ride on rails |9| and |92 supported on angles |93 and |94 secured to vertical members of the housing framework as shown in Figure 27. Adjacent the head shaft |84 the lower runs of the chains engage sprockets on a shaft |95 journaled on an extension of frame |62, the lower runs being supported throughout the length of the housing on rails |96 and |91,

Figure 27. Adjacent the foot shaft |81, Figure 31, the chains pass over sprockets on a shaft |98 mounted on an extension of frame |90 and then downwardly under automatic compensating sprockets on a shaft |99. From the latter sprockets the lower runs extend upwardly and over sprockets on a shaft 200 supported onthe extension of frame |90 and thence to the foot sprockets. While the course of the lower runs has been traced from shaft 84 to shaft |81, it will, of course; be understood that the lower runs `7 travel from the latter toward the former. The foot shaft |81 has a, sprocket engaged by an endless chain 20| driven from a motor-reducer unit 202.

Secured at intervals to opposite inner links of chains |82 and |83 are yokes 203 and 204, the free ends of whose arms are pierced to receive bolts 205 and 206 on axes normal to the plane of the chains, these pins engaging the ends of bars 201 of rectangular cross section.

Slidable on the end portions of each bar 201 are strip edge engaging members 208 and 209 which are of identical form but in reverse positions. Referring to Figures 16 and 17, member 209 comprises a channel member 2I0 having a top web portion 2II and depending flanges 2|2 and 2|3 which receive bar 201 with sliding clearance so as not to be substantially tiltable transversely of the bar. The iianges are pierced to receive pins 2I4 and 2I5 above and below the bar, the ends of the pins being wired together as shown in Figure 16 to prevent their rotation. Threaded into an opening in web 2|| from the top thereof and in perpendicular relation thereto is a cap screw 2 6 on which is rotatable a roller 209' which is peripherally notched to provide a flat radially expanded bottom flange or shoulder 2|8 and an upper conical portion 2|9 at the base of which is a circular pressure portion 220.

Pins 2 I4 and 2 I 5 constitute releasable self-locking gripping members or portions. Pressure exerted on roller 209 in the direction of chain |83, causes these members to frictionally grip bar 201 so that member 209 is locked in position, as shown in Figure 1'?, with the roller axis substantially vertical. Pressure on roller 2I1 in the opposite direction will cause the release of member 209 so that is is movable freely inwardly on the bar. Similarly, outward pressure on the lower extremities of 'flanges 2I2 and 2 I3 Will release the gripping members so that member 209 is freely movable outwardly on bar 201. Members 2-08, of course, function in the same manner, these each including a roller 208. As bar 201 comes up around the head sprockets, its members 208 and 209 occupy the positions shown in Figure 11, wherein they are spaced slightly further apart than the adjacent rollers |68 and |69. When rollers 208' and 209' receive the on-coming end of the bowed strip, the transverse expanding action of the strip locks members 208 and 209 on the bar 201, so that the bowed condition of the strip is substantially maintained. As the bar 201 in question continues its travel, the expanded base portions of the rollers 208' and 209 strike the rearwardly convergent faces 22| and 222 of transversely adjustable cams 223 and 224 mounted on frame extensions |60 and I6I and members 208 and 209 are moved together so that the strip is additionally bowed, members 208 and 209 immediately locking as they leave the cams. Of course, the adjustment of cams 223 and 224 will determine the desired arc of the strip which may be the same as, or greater or smaller than, the arc between the extreme right hand rollers |68 and |69. The strip is thus carried in transversely bowed condition supported entirely from its edges on the flanges as at 2I8 up to the foot shaft |81, which is particularly shown in Figures 29, 30, has fixed thereon conical cams 225 and 226 which are engaged by the lower extremities of members 208 and 209 so that the latter are forced apart and release edges of the strip.

During the passage of the strip through the housing |11, it is subjected to highly heated air and consequently the 'strip undergoes expansion, this being accommodated by the rollers 208 and 209. When the factor of expansion is not involved, the rollers can be replaced by blocks having notches such as would be shown by an axial section of a roller 208 or 209. In any event, the conveyor preferably exerts a traction eiect on the strip as well as supporting it.

Extending through the housing 221 in end to end relation are air input units 221, 228, 229, 230 and 23| and exhaust units 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 231, Figure 18. Units 221, 232 and a part of unit 233, are shown in Figures 25 and 26.

The exhaust unit 232 comprises upper and lower conduits 238 and 239, these being of flat rectangular section and somewhat wider than the strip S as bowed in its passage through the oven. Conduits 238 and 239 are joined centrally by a branch connection 240 having centrally of its outer face a short conduit section 24|. The inner surfaces of conduits 238 and 239 are provided with transverse slots 242 and 243, Figures 20 and 22, which are rimmed by external flanges 243 and 244 whose walls longitudinally of the slots which is laterally tapered from a centrally disposed short conduit section 241 toward its closed ends. On its side opposite the section 241, conduit 246 supports andlis in communication with top and bottom series of hollow arms 248 and 249, the longitudinal Walls of these arms being converged so that opposed restricted longitudinal slots 250 and 25| are provided. In operative relation, the arms 248 and 249, whichconstitute elongated nozzles, are positioned respectively just below and just above the conduits 238 and 239, as shown in Figure 20, and between the slots 242 and 243 of the exhaust unit 232. The spacing of the arms from slots 242 and 243 is preferably uniform as shown. In Figures 27 and 28 it will be seen that the outer ends of slots 250 are closed by blocks as at 252 which rest on an angle 253. The outer ends of arms 249 are supported on an angle 254 and the outer end portions of the slots 25| are closed by blocks as at 255. Upper and lower blocks 251 and 258 close the inner` end portions of the slots 250 and 25|, the blocks 251 resting on a supporting angle 259. The length of slots 250 and 25| between the end blocks is substantially the same as the width of the bowed strip. In preferred arrangement, the housing side wall |8| being removed, the unit 221 is inserted to position and then the unit 232 is inserted in straddling relation.

Referring particularly to Figures 18, 19, 23 and 24, the section 24| of unit 232 is in connection with a suction fan 260 through a conduit 26|, the suction fan discharging into a heater 262 with controllable air intake, the heater feeding to va blower 283 which through a conduit 254 is in connection with the conduit section 241. The air intake on each heater 202 may comprise an opening 262a such as shown in Figure. 19 and controlled by an adjustable sliding shutter 2620.

the exhaust ducts through which the air is withl drawn. All of the air in contact with the strip is in constant and very rapid motion, with noY dead spots of stagnant or slowly moving air, thus insuring the rapid drying of thecoating.

Exhaust unit 233 is of exactly the same construction as unit 232, but is here shown as somewhat longer, and at its forward end is overlapped to some extent by the rearward end of input unit 221. Unit 233 is in connection with a suction fan 248 which discharges to the atmosphere. Input unit 228 laps that portionv fv'unit 233 not overlapped by the input unit 221, and from Figure 18 it will be seen that the rearward portion of unit 228 overlaps to a substantial extent the forward portion of exhaust unit 234. Units 228 and 234 are exactly like units 221 and 232 and are connected together through a conduit 249, an exhaust fan 258, a heater and air intake unit 25|, and a blower 252. Input unit 229 laps'that portion of exhaust unit 234 not 10 the described arrangement and a good air condition is maintained in the various zones.

The oncoming end of the strip being released at the foot shaft |81, as previously described, it is immediately caught in the flared ends of grooves as at 265, Figure 3l, in blocks 266 and 281, these blocks being fixed on the ends of angles 268 and 269 whose forward ends are supported on an upper extension 218 of frame |98 and whose rearward ends are supported on an upward extension 21| of a frame 212. These angles carry rollers 213 and 214 exactly like the rollers |68 and |69 hereinbefore described. In this case, however,

f the angles 268 and 269 are rearwardly divergent,

and as the endof the strip passes between the two series it is permittted to return from its bowed condition to a condition of relative flatness, still supported from its edges. The grooves of blocks 266 and 261 are somewhat forwardly divergent, but catch the released end of the strip before it has materially attened and guide it in bowed condition to the adjacent rollers.

Departing from the mechanism E. the strip passes between flattening rollers 215 and 216 *l journaled in pedestals 211 and 218 which are mounted on the top of frame 212, these rolls lapped by input unit 228 and overlaps the exhaust unit 235 for a distance twice that which unit 228 overlaps unit 234. Units 229 and 235 are connected together through the same suction fan, heater and air intake unit, and blower, as before. Units 238 and 236 are similarly connected together as are also units 23| and 231. Unit 238 overlaps unit 236 for a distance three times that which unit 228 overlaps unit 234.

Unit 23| overlaps the remainder of unit 236 and zone occupied by exhaust unit 233. Hence, this .A

zone has total spill, i. e. has a discharge which.

goes completely to the atmosphere, whereas all other zones re-circulate up to it. Exhaust unit 232 feeds to input unit 221 and; for example, twenty per cent of fresh air may be added at the heater and air intake unit 262. Conditions in the zone of exhaust unit 232 permit of major recirculation in that Zone, someof the mixture reaching input unit 221 being passed into the zone of exhaust unit 233, dueto the overlap. Going to the other end of the line, the majority of the mixture (including twenty per cent of new air added at the heater) reaching unit 23| from the zone of unit 231 is recirculated in the latter zone, although some of the mixture is passed on to the zone of exhaust unit 236. A still greater percentage reaching input unit 238 is passed on to the zone of exhaust unit 235, a still greater percentage of the mixture reaching input unit 229 is passed on to the zone of unit 234, and a still greater percentage of the mixture reaching unit 228 is passed on to the zone of exhaust unit 233, where there is total spill, as before mentioned. There is thus progressive recirculation from both ends of the oven up to the zone of total spill. Great economy in heating costs is achieved by being identical with the rolls 54 and 55 at the head end of the line. Roll 215 has a shaft 219 journaled in xed bearings of the pedestals, whereas roll 216 has a shaft 288 journaled in vertically slidable bearing blocks 28| and 282.

,The block 28| has pivoted thereto on an axis parallel to the shaft a pin 283 whose upper portion is slidably guided in a cap plate 284, a compression spring 285 being interposed between the cap plate and the bearing block. Similarly, block 282 has pivoted thereto a pin 286 whose upper portion is slidably guided in a'cap plate 281, a compression spring being interposed between the latter and the block. Cap plates 284 and 281 include upstanding bearing portionsv288 and 289 respectively and support a rock shaft 298 which at its ends has eccentric portions 29| and 292 engaged in horizontally elongated eyes at theupper ends of pins 283 and 286. Normally, roll 216 is strongly pressed toward roll 215 and against the strip by the springs. However, roll 216 may be lifted upon rocking shaft 298 through manipulation of handle 293 so that the oncoming end of the strip will pass between the rolls without further attention.

From the rolls 215 and 216 the strip may be led downwardly to a roll 294 and then looped about tension rolls 295 and 296 and led to a rewind drum on a shaft 291 driven from a. speed reducer 298 as shown in Figures 38 and 39.

However, if cooling of the strip is necessary the cooling apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2 and 34 to 37 may be utilized. Referring to these gures, reference numeral 299 designates a frame including upright members flared outwardly at their upper ends and supporting a deep tank 388. The specic pressure rollers 215 and 216 and their supporting frame 212, as shown in Figures 32, 33

and 38, are dispensed with and the departing end of mechanism E is supported on the upper end of frame 299. Journaled in bearings at the upper end of frame 299 adjacent the departing end of mechanism E and with its top at the level of the departing strip, is a roll 38|. Swingably supported at the upper end of pedestals 382 and 383 on the frame are bearings 384 and 385 in which are journaled the ends of a shaft 386 which carries a roll 381 which, in cooperation with roll 38|, serves to insure the atness of the' strip leaving the mechanism E. Initially, roll 301 may be swung upwardly so that the strip can be inserted. A roll l308 is journaled on the upperiend of frame 299 opposite roll 30| and cooperable therewith is a swingable roll 309 whose position is controllable pneumatically by a cylinder and piston 3|0 and 3| I.

Secured to the inner side faces of the tank side walls are pairs of vertical strips 3|2, 3|3 and 3M, 3|5. Strip 312 has xed to its outer face a rack SIB and strip 3|4 supports a similar rack 3|'I. Strips 3I3 and 3|5 have rails 3|8 and 3|9 respectively secured thereto. A shaft 320 carries a depending pan or trough 32| and within the latter a roll 322. The ends of the shaft 320 have mounted thereon rollers 323 and 324 cooperating with the tracks 3|8 and 319 respectively. Inwardly of the rollers shaft 320 has fixed thereon gears 325 and 326 which engage the racks 3|6 and 3|'l respectively. Trough 32| has upstanding ears 321 and 328 to which are connected the ends of cables as at 329 whose other ends are wound on a drum 330 xed on a shaft which is journaled in bearings supported by the upper extremities of strips 3i2 to 3|5. Shaft 330 is preferably reversibly motor driven.

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising parallel series of rollers mounted on generally parallel axes and each of the rollers having an annular shoulder and a surmounting circular portion, the edges of a flexible strip being supportable on the shoulders of said opposite rollers and against the circular portions of the latter, means for successively moving the rollers of one series into a line closer to the rollers of the other series so as to engage the strip edges, means for holding the displaced rollers in displaced position, and means for successively returning the displaced rollers.

' 2. Apparatus of the class described comprising two oppositely disposed series of rollers mounted on generally parallel axes and each of the rollers between rolls 308 and 309, which are moved apart for the purpose, to the re-wind mechanism G, Figure 37, which is the same as that shown in Figures 38 and 39. The apparatus F may be utilized in the condition shown in Figure 4 and in this situation there may or may not be a cooling liquid in trough 32|. If cooling of the strip is required, the cables are permitted to unwind so that roll 322 carries the strip in a loop to any desired distance down in the tank 300 which is lled with cooling liquid, this relation being shown in Figure 37. It will be seen that roll 322 will always be on a level axis due to the engagement of the gears 325 and 326 with the racks 3I6 and 3H. Roll 309 is caused to bear against the strip so that in cooperation with the roll 308 the cooling liquid is squeezed from the strip.

Once the end of the strip has been brought to the applicator rolls of the coating mechanism, it will continue unassisted up to the rewind mechanism, except that the upward arch may have to be manually started, as heretofore mentioned. In this connection it will be noted that in Figures 34 to 37 the trough is of such shape as to guide the strip end under roll 322 and over roll 308 where it can be caught by the attendant and carried through the rewind mechanism. 'Iogive the attendant time for this operation, roll 322 may be simultaneously lowered, thus acting as a take-up device.

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein may be claimed in my application for Methods and apparatus for handling and treating strip material, Serial No. 595,610, filed May 24, 1945.

It will be understood that the invention is by no means limited to the form and arrangement of parts specically disclosed herein, being susceptible of wide variation in these respects. Furthermore, in speaking of strip material herein I do not intend to coniine myself to roll-wound continuous strip, since obviously much of the apparatus could equally well handle lengths in the nature of sheets. It will also be obvious that the zone arrangement of the oven may be advantageously utilized regardless of the nature of the product to be dried.

I claim:

having an annular shoulder and a surmounting circular portion, the two series being convergently arranged, and means for feeding a flexible strip between said series with it edges against the circular portions of opposite rollers and supported on the shoulders thereof, the feed being in the direction of convergence 0f the two series and the spacing ofthe latter being such that 'the stri-p is brought from a transversely flat condition to a transversely bowed condition.

3. Apparatus for handling a flexible strip comprising a, conveyor having parallel runs, parallel Ibars connecting the runs, a pair of engaging members for the strip edges movable on each of said bars longitudinally of the latter, gripping means between said engaging members and bars, means at the head end of the conveyor for displacing the engaging members toward each other along said bars and into supporting engagement with the strip edges, the gripping means being then effective to hold the engaging members in displaced position, and means at the foot end of the conveyor for releasing the gripping means and returning said engaging members. l

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the engaged strip is in transversely bowed condition and exerts a consequent pressure on said engaging members and thereby'renders said gripping means operative.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the gripping means of each engaging member is constituted by portions on opposite sides of the associated bar and wherein the engaged strip is in transversely bowed condition and exerts a consequent pressure on the engaging members there- Y by causing said portions to grip the associated bar.

6. Strip drying apparatus comprising an oven. means for supporting a strip in the oven. a conduit extending lengthwise of a -face of a strip supported in the oven, hollow arms extending transversely of said strip between the latter and said conduit, another conduit at one side of said strip connecting said arms, said arms having openings directed toward said face and the rst conduit having openings intermediate said arms directed toward said face, and means for applying suction to the rst conduit and supplying a drying medium to said other conduit.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said anms and the conduit to which they are connected constitute a unit independently insertable to position in the oven.

8. Strip drying apparatus comprising an oven, means for supporting a strip in the oven with both faces exposed. a pair of conduits of which one extends along one face of a strip in the oven and the other extends along the other face, said conduits each having slots faced toward and extending transversely ci -the strip, two series of hollow arms extending transversely of said strip. one of said series being disposed between one face of the strip'and the conduit on that side of the strip and the other of said series being disposed between the other face of the strip and the other conduit, said arms having longitudinally extending slots faced toward the strip and the armspof each series being disposed so that they alternate with the slots of the adjacent conduit, a conduit in connection with said arms, and means for supplying a drying medium to the last named conduit and for applying suction to said pair of conduits. .f

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein a connection is provided between the conduits f said pair of conduits so that a. unit is constituted which is independently insertable in the oven.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the two series of arms and the conduit to which they are connected constitute a unit which is independently insertable in the oven.

11. Apparatus of the class described compris` ing an oven,. a series of exhaust conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven, a'series of input conduits in end to end relationvlengthrwise of the oven, the conduits of each series being in overlapping relation to the conduits of the other, the input conduits being longer than the exhaust conduits so that they increasingly overlap the exhaust conduits progressing yi'rom one end of the oven, and a connection between each exhaust conduit and the input conduit which is correspondingly positioned in the series.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising an oven, a seriesof exhaust conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven. a series of input conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven, the conduits oi each series being in overlapping relation to the conduits of the other. the input conduits being longer than the rexhaust conduits so that they increasingly overlap the ,exhaust conduits progressingwfrom one end of the oven, a connection between each exhaust conduit and the input conduit which is correspondingly positioned in the series, another exhaust conduit which is overlapped in major part by the last one of the series of such input conduits, and a discharge to atmosphere for said other conduit.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein a haust conduit up to the departing end of the oven, and connections between corresponding ones of said last mentioned input and exhaust conduits. the arrangement being such that there is progressive recirculation from each end of the oven up to the said succeeding exhaust conduit.

f 15. In the treatment of continuous exible strip material, the method which comprises feeding the strip lengthwise in substantially flat condition. continuously coating thestrip on both sides during feed, and directly receiving the coated strip `and bowing it by applying .pressure to opposite edges thereof and that edges dry. A,

16. Apparatus of the class described comprising an oven, a series of exhaust conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven, a series of input conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven, the conduits `of each series being in overlapping relation tothe conduits of the other. the input conduits being longer than the exhaust conduits so that they increasingly overlap the exmaintaining the pressure so the strip is supported from said opposite withoutv face contact after coating until haust .conduits progressing from, one end of the oven. a connection between each'exhaust conduit l and the input conduit which is correspondingly positioned in the series, and an inlet in each connection for fresh air.

17. Apparatus of the class described comprisy ing an oven, means for moving material through further exhaust conduit is provided beyond said other exhaust conduit, wherein a further input conduit laps said further exhaust conduit entirely and in part said other exhaust conduit, and wherein a connection is provided between )said further exhaust and input conduits.

14. Apparatus of the class described comprising an oven, means for moving material through the oven, a series of exhaust conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven. a series of input conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the joven, the conduits of each series being in overlapping 'relation to the conduits of the other. the input conduit at the entering end 'oi' the oven completely lapping the exhaust conduit at the same end and in part the succeeding exhaust conduit, a connection between the input and exhaust conduits at said entering end. a discharge to atmosphere for said succeeding exhaust conduit. thethe oven, a series of air exhaust conduits in end to end relation lengthwise oi the oven, a series of air input conduits in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven. the conduits of each series being in overlapping relation to the conduits of the other, a connection between each exhaust conduit and the input conduit which is correspondingly positioned in the series, a'blower in each connection, an inlet for fresh air in each connection, the overlapping ofthe conduits oi' one series with respect to the conduits of the other series being suiiicient that a portion of the air moving into the oven through an input con' duit will move out of the oven through an opposed exhaust conduit from which air moves to the blower connected to the next adjacent input conduit, whereby air gradually moves lengthwise of the oven. and means to flow air from one exhaust conduit to atmosphere.

18. Strip drying apparatus comprising an elongated voven, means for supporting and moving a strip in the oven in lengthwise-extending relation. means dening a series of elongated air exhaust zones in end to end relation lengthwise of the oven. means defining a series oi' elongated air input zones in end-to end relation lengthwise of the oven, said input zones each extending along an exhaust zone which is correspondingly posi'- tioned in the series and each overlapping the next adjacent exhaust zone toward one end of the series of exhaust zones, a connection between each exhaust zone and the input zone which are correspondingly positioned in the series, a blower in said connection an inlet in each connection for fresh air. the, overlapping of the zones of one series with respect to the zones of the other series being sulcient that a portion of the air moving into the oven through an input zone will move out of the oven through an opposed exliausttzone from which air moves to lthe blower connected to 

